June 9 - 1pm: Michigan’s Post-COVID Workforce
MEDA Members $20/Non-Members $35* Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, companies were struggling to find talent because the unemployment rate was lower than it had been in many years. Now, with a significant number of our workforce filing for unemployment, forecasters are predicting a major surge in hiring once it is safe to resume operations, but there is also a strong possibility for a continuation in the high unemployment rate. This workforce may not be what it was before; open offices turning into hybrid offices, long-term social distancing, etc. How can the economic development community help businesses prepare for what could be a completely different workforce that they must train as well as keep safe?

June 10 - 9am: Road Map: Ways to give tourists peace of mind
It’s no surprise. Fears are mounting. We’re anxious about the coronavirus. The air we breathe. The things we touch. Our jobs. Money. Politics. These fear factors are chilling our blood. Gnawing our psyche. And tragically making us afraid of out-of-towners. Fear factors… meet your match! Katie White from Holt Bosse returns to talk about what scares us about tourists this summer. What scares tourists away from Southwest Michigan. And ways you can buck these fears and create the safe, refreshing spaces everyone craves more than ever. The fears are real. So is peace of mind. Here’s your road map to the latter.

June 11 -1pm: Payroll Protection Program: Tracking and Reporting
You have received the Paycheck Protection Program loan, what’s next? Learn how to manage the funds with the goal of 100% loan forgiveness and have the information to complete your forgiveness application.
Topics include:
· Identifying your eligible expenses
· Maximizing your system
· Spreadsheets options
· Calculating FTEs
· Preparing for the forgiveness application
· Making the entries for loan forgiveness

June 15 - 11am: Financial Management
During this webinar we’ll guide you through the basics of financial management. You’ll learn about the importance a bookkeeping system as we review real small business examples of Cash Flow Statements, Profit & Loss, and Balance Sheets.

June 17 - 1pm: Active violence in the workplace
If customer confrontations do escalate, we want you to be prepared. This training will help you pick up on cues of potentially dangerous customers (or employees) and prepare you to respond to violent incidents.

June 22 - 2pm: Dealing with difficult customers
This training will arm you with communication and de-escalation strategies to handle belligerent customers who don’t want to follow your businesses’ guidelines, such as wearing facemasks.

June 23 - 1pm: Dealing with difficult customers
This training will arm you with communication and de-escalation strategies to handle belligerent customers who don’t want to follow your businesses’ guidelines, such as wearing facemasks.

June 24 - 9am: Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Adapting Your Business
It’s no secret that the stay-at-home orders have impacted local businesses. With social distancing guidelines likely to continue well into summer, don’t expect your traditional summer season. Plan your Detour. Katie White from Holt Bosse returns to talk about the importance of adapting your business and adopting a flexible attitude to Summer 2020. She will share ideas for thinking ahead and putting your business in the best possible position to weather the coronavirus storm. Get out your map and start planning an alternate route.

June 25 - 2pm: Dealing with difficult customers
This training will arm you with communication and de-escalation strategies to handle belligerent customers who don’t want to follow your businesses’ guidelines, such as wearing facemasks.

July 2 - 10am: Creating a Crisis Budget
Participants will be able to identify types of income during COVID-19, track income, identify and trim expenses, track expense. You will walk away with tips and resources to help tackle difficult financial decision amidst this pandemic.

On-Demand: Can Employees Avoid Work, Avoid Discipline and Get Paid?
Many employers are facing severe staffing shortages now. Enhanced and expanded unemployment benefits and protections against discipline for failing to return to work have left employers searching for methods to maintain staffing levels. Whether you are operating now or planning on reopening in the near future, join Bodman Workplace Law attorneys to discuss potential solutions to these challenges.

On-Demand: #BBBConnects: Managing Remote Work for Your Business
We recognize that many businesses are facing uncertainty right now. To help you and your organization adapt to the new realities we all face, we invite you to join us and our panelists for a free, live webinar on how businesses can successfully work remotely.

New in the News

Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act
On June 3, the Senate passed the House version of the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act, which will:
Give businesses 24 weeks to spend their PPP loan proceeds instead of 8 weeks.
Require that only 60% of proceeds be spent on payroll expenses, versus the previous 75% constraint.
Extend the deadline that businesses must rehire workers, from June 30 to December 31.
Provide a loan repayment term of five years instead of two years for any loan dollars not forgiven.
Allow borrowers to defer the employer share of Social Security taxes (6.2%), regardless of whether the borrower receives forgiveness or not. 50% of deferred Social Security tax would be due in 2021, with the other 50% due in 2022.

Solicitation of Services
The Michigan SBDC, through U.S. SBA CARES Act funding, is requesting proposals from service providers to perform activities to address the needs of small businesses impacted by COVID-19

Four Steps to Sustain Your Restaurant During COVID-19
Right now, there are relief programs being launched daily to help small businesses like yours recover from the pandemic disaster. Explore the options, but do not make any reactive decisions. Take some time to assess your situation and try to find the best course of action.

A Letter To The South Haven Community From The National Blueberry Festival
As you know, 2020 has changed everything. Between the coronavirus, its economic impact on our community, and high water issues along Lake Michigan, we have all had to dig deep to keep moving forward and to stay positive. But the National Blueberry Festival rolls with the punches, and our goal is still to celebrate the South Haven community and our favorite fruit in a way that is fun and responsible! We remain committed to living our values and our mission, and keeping traditions strong, which we believe is especially important in times of disruption and unease.

MDARD Offers Guidance to U-Pick Operations in Advance of Opening for the Season
As warmer weather approaches, so does Michigan’s U-pick season. Farm operations across the state are working so they can safely open and operate in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) outlined key protocols that U-pick operations should be implementing to protect themselves and their customers.

COVID-19 Workplace Checklist
Van Buren and Cass County businesses and entities may need this guidance to reopen or expand current services. Under the recent guidance, Van Buren/Cass District Health Department strongly encourages these businesses and entities to take the following actions to ensure the safety of employees and customers. This guidance covers universal screening, social distancing practices, and what to do if an employee tests positive. This is basic guidance. The Governor’s Office along with the Michigan Economic Recovery Council (MERC) may provide additional, more detailed and industry-specific guidance on reopening.

Guidance For Businesses Reopening
As the curve continues to flatten and many businesses reopen their doors, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) within the Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) issued workplace guidelines for employers and employees and created a new hotline, 855-SAFEC19 (855-723-3219), to answer guideline questions and further protect Michigan’s workforce from the spread of COVID-19.

MI Safe Start Plan
Outlines how we will begin to re-engage while continuing to keep our communities safe. Re-engagement will happen in phases. Those businesses that are necessary to protect and sustain life are already open. As we move into lower-risk phases, additional business categories will re-open and the restrictions on public gatherings and social interactions will ease.

FedEx is giving $1 million to small businesses
Each grant recipient will receive $5,000, plus a $500 credit from FedEx Office that can be used for printing banners, posters, floor graphics, custom branded boxes, and more. Each grant recipient will receive a check for $5,000. Additionally, each recipient will receive a $500 credit at FedEx Office to use toward printing services. From May 25, 2020, through June 12, 2020, you can go to fedex.com/supportsmallgrants and click “Apply Now” to start the application process.

MEDC Expands Two Community Development Programs
Launches New Website to Support Small Business and Downtown COVID-19 Recovery Efforts
These initiatives include the MI Local Biz Community Crowdfunding Program, which pairs successful crowdfunding efforts with a financial match from the MEDC; an expansion of the Match on Main program to support recovery efforts of small businesses through grants to local units of government, downtown development authorities, or other downtown management organizations; and a new website offering resources, strategies and assets for downtowns and communities as they plan for their re-openings following the COVID-19 crisis.

SBA to Make Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available to U.S. Agricultural Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic
U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carranza announced today that agricultural businesses are now eligible for SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance programs. SBA’s EIDL portal will reopen today as a result of funding authorized by Congress through the Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act. The legislation, signed into law by the President one week ago, provided additional funding for farmers and ranchers and certain other agricultural businesses affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Michigan Chamber of Commerce and 30 - Chambers Announce COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Agenda
Michigan Chamber of Commerce and 30 local and regional chambers released the COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Agenda to help get Michigan’s economy restarted. “Chamber members agree that public safety is paramount while we also focus on protecting our economic health. The policy recommendations contained in this agenda will assist businesses in their efforts to provide safe workplaces and spaces for their employees and customers and create more certainty and clarity to reenergize Michigan’s economy,” said Steve Mitchell, Chair of the Michigan Chamber’s board of directors.

Do You Have a COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan? We Can Help!
Many employers, if they are even aware of the requirement, are confused about how to draft, maintain and implement a plan in accordance with the Executive Order and the OSHA guidance. Thankfully, the Workplace Law attorneys at Bodman have stepped in to help Chamber members prepare.

MIOSHA: MIWISH Grants Available for Small Employers
The MIOSHA Workplace Improvement to Safety and Health (MIWISH) Grant Program awards qualifying employers a dollar-for-dollar match – up to $5,000 – to purchase safety and health-related equipment and equipment-related training. The goal of the program is to create a safer and healthier work environment and reduce the risk of injury and illness to workers in Michigan. Complete the MIWISH application at michigan.gov/mioshagrants. If you have any questions regarding the MIWISH grant or application, please contact (517) 284-7811 or Email: BirsenS@michigan.gov.

Salesforce Care Small Business Grants
Salesforce is partnering with Ureeka to offer eligible small businesses the opportunity to receive a $10,000 grant to help them through the COVID-19 outbreak.

Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program Guide
This pilot program allows SBA Express Lenders authority to deliver expedited SBA-guaranteed financing on an emergency basis for disaster-related purposes to eligible small businesses, while the small businesses apply for and await long-term financing.

Additional Relief for Specialty Crop Growers
A group of 108 bipartisan lawmakers sent a letter to Secretary Sonny Perdue—requesting assistance. They asked for funding to develop and execute a recovery and relief plan for specialty crop growers. Washington is signaling that USDA will be issuing regulations on the CARES Act to specialty crop growers next week. Approximately $1.5 billion of the $2 trillion bill will go to specialty crop producers.

SCORE Remote Mentoring is Available
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, SCORE mentors will meet with clients remotely. Mentors are available to participate in remote mentoring sessions via phone, email, and video. If you already have a SCORE mentor, ask them if you can use a remote mentoring method for your sessions.

Free, Confidential Business Advice from Michigan SBDC
Access small business consulting, training and market research at no-cost through the Michigan SBDC. To get started, please select your county from the list below and follow the prompts to complete the online request for business services.

PMBC Virtual Procurement Assistance
PMBC is offering a free, online procurement and donation platform to assist suppliers of critical health and human services across a broad range of categories, including local municipalities, in accessing supplies and products as they respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Posters
There is currently a mandatory update to federal posters in response to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. During the stay at home order, employers should post it in an intranet or email it to all employees. Once the order is lifted it must be posted through December 31.

Full Toolkit
The Michigan Chamber continues to update its toolkit with resources for chamber members.

Economic Resources

STURGIS BANK HELPS BUSINESSES ACQUIRE PPP LOANS - The Staff at Sturgis Bank have secured Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA) for 458 businesses throughout our communities. This amounts to $33,337,027 in loans and over 4500 jobs protected for our local residents.

Disaster Loan Assistance is available for businesses looking for more information on how to apply for an SBA loan or whether it is something they should consider.

MI Bridges
Benefits and coverage through the Michigan Department of Health and Human services such as food assistance, health care, and state emergency relief. You may access MI Bridges at michigan.gov/mibridges.